The people of the province were going about their regular matters on the morning of March 12, 2009, when they heard the news that the morning was going to be anything but routine. A helicopter had crashed into the ocean with 18 people aboard.

In the years since, The Telegram has followed the reaction of the people and families that were affected, and the corporate and political response.

Flowers are being left this morning on the fence surrounding Cougar Helicopters headquarters at St. John's International Airport, in memory of the victims of Flight 491 who died when a helicopter ditched offshore on March 12, 2009. — Photo by Keith Gosse/The Telegram

Most recent comment

Santo

- March 31, 2015

- 19 h 00

I don't really understand why this tragedy hasn't been as public as 491 or even the Ocean Ranger, which only happened a few years prior yet still remembered annually. Perhaps Ms. Buckles has a point when she said that the family's shied away from media and thus the accident wasn't as public, as today, in the age of social media, it is family and friends that keep the names of their loved ones alive in memorials. After hearing of this accident since 491 went down (as I was a child in '85 and wouldn't have known), I was even more surprised that even Mr. Wells wasn't aware of this accident...never mind that the anniversary is only a day in the difference, such a coincidence surely should have made headlines! That is almost haunting...
So glad these men will be memorialized along with the 17 from Cougar 491 and lets pray there will be no names to ad in the future. Thank you to the Telegram for remembering these men, and sharing their names.

Dana Bradley was murdered in December 1981 and her killer has never been brought to justice. In March 2014, The Telegram broke a story of a man who believes he was witness to the crime. What followed was the most in depth and thorough study of the case since that time.

The first big winter storm of the season has closed many businesses and schools in St. John's-metro and much of the Avalon Peninsula today. Here's a collection of stories and images from photographers and reporters who have braved the storm.

The province spent $500,000 on helicopter services when ferries broke down or were docked because of ice clogged routes in just one single fiscal year. The Telegram has obtained information on ferry breakdowns and service disruptions as well as the costs involved to the province.

HBG

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Quick question - 03/31/2015

A Corner Brook woman was upset recently when she had her seal skin purse confiscated by customs officials when entering the United States — she was unaware of a U.S. ban on seal product entering that country. Are you aware of the ban?